Our gardeners at MMI have hit the ground running this term - in just a short time, they have achieved so much!
Having cleared the old beds groups of students chose gardens to tend to and have created colourful signage to mark their spots. The gardens were then topped up with compost and soil and some seedlings sown. The shade house too is now full of seedlings, which will soon be ready for planting out, and our gardeners are working on keeping a regular supply going by sowing seeds fortnightly. We have made wool mulch mats for our seedlings and placed decoy white butterflies in the gardens to frighten off pests.
This term, a big focus has been on feeding the soil, in preparation for planting winter veg. We have started a giant worm bin in an upcycled bathtub bin and the compost bays are working nicely, so we can ensure a constant supply of our own organic compost and worm castings/worm wee to fertilise the gardens. With Brendan’s help we have got the irrigation up and running again, so that we don’t lose any of our hard work during the dry spells.
The native seedlings, which were planted by students last year after a seed collecting mission to Mauao, are still being cared for. Later this year we are planning another visit to return them to the spots where the seeds were collected.
The sentinel garden bed has been filled using a layering method ; branches, garden clippings, coffee grinds, compost and soil were used. Over time this organic matter will break down and feed the plants, which have been chosen to attract invasive pests which may be in this area. Although it sounds like a bad idea, it then allows our students to keep watch for them and alert biosecurity NZ if they find any unwanted pests. This is a great way for us to help out in the community, by being kaitaki for our local environment.
But our welcome, beneficial insects are being looked after - the monarch chrysalis rescue team jumped into action to save some fallen ones on Thursday.
Last week we decided it was time to do some food prep and, having gathered some garden herbs; basil, parsley and rocket, and a few added ingredients from Miss Barr’s pantry, the students made a delicious pesto which was swiftly demolished on crackers in the garden!